[Dennis335i]

I just ordered a 2013 335i in black sapphire. Here are my options:

Sport Line
Premium Package
Heated Seats
Park Distance Control
Premium Sound
8-Speed Sport Auto

I'm torn between getting the Sport Automatic or the 6sp manual. The only modifications I think I would ever do to the car are the PPK and a catback exhaust system, so I wouldn't be overpowering either transmission.

I figure the 8-speed will save me about $200 per year in gas (26 mpg avg), but will probably need repair/replacing some day if I own the car for a long time. It does cost an extra $500 one-time as an option.

The 6-speed averages 23 mpg and isn't quite as fast as the sport auto, but I would have to replace the clutch periodically (how often?).

Can anyone better put this into numbers for me as far as which would be the better option? I still have another week to make changes to the configuration of the car before it is built. Thank you!

[robin147]

I can't imagine why you make your choice based on lifetime costs of either. Just go for what you want. The numbers you stated above are in no relation to the car you have just ordered. In that case you should have gone for the 328 instead of 335 if it has anything to do with costs imho.

My personal opinion, is that the automatic is fantastic, as stated in many reviews, but on the forum most of the owners / buyers, especially from the 335, went for the manual. In the end it is just personal I feel.

However congrats on the great car you have ordered.

[emtrey]

totally up to driver preference.

I am a 3 pedal guy at heart but the 335 is a daily driver and occasionally used by my wife who prefers automatic. I went w/ the 8 sp. If I did not have a sport car with a 6 spd manual, the choice may have been different.

This particular 8 sp is about as good as it gets. Very close to the feel of the BMW DCT I had test driven.

Over a long period of time, cost should not matter. Choose which you would prefer to drive daily.

[Feanor]

IMO what makes the auto really worthwhile is if you get Active Cruise Control, as I love that system and auto is a prerequisite.

Otherwise, it's down to your preference as others have said. I'm getting the manual but only because ACC wasn't available when I ordered, and without it I'd rather spend the £1600 the feature costs on other toys.

[whoever]

If you have to ask, go with 8 speed.

[dmontic71]

8 speed AT...

[Chris_F30_335]

I had a manual sports car before buying my F30 335i, and manuals all the way before that. For me the 8sp Auto was a no-brainer once I'd driven it. Its a faster gearbox than the manual and an amazing piece of technology. Additionally, you can relax and let the car do the driving on the daily commute, then you have paddle shift or tiptronic shifting if you wanna flick it into Sports + and let loose.

My vote - AT

Good luck with the purchase.

[SD_E88]

I drove both before buying. The 8spd was so much more satisfying on the twisty road behind the dealership. And has been ever since!

I've driven a stick since 1990 until April of this year, when I bought my F30. As far as I'm concerned the car goes faster (acceleration), gets better gas mileage, and it's just a pleasure to get such instant gratification from those paddles. I'm sold!

[halfempty]

How much traffic are you looking at? I have very little during most of my commute and really enjoy the mt. Miles of stop-n-go with it is not much fun however. So be honest about what kind of driving you'll be doing most and pick the one that suits that situation most to your liking.

[JustinTJ]

Guess I'll post this here too since your two posts are the same question in two forums:

Maybe I'm getting older and lazy, but I went sport auto. I'm tired of shifting, and after one test drive in this car I was sold.

This new auto lets me feel the road, interact, have control, use spider sense, save puppies, find leprechauns, and all of the crap excuses I used to say to justify driving a stick when stuck in traffic.

This 8 speed auto is faster and easier than the 6 manual. Winner.

[Chris_F30_335]

Originally Posted by JustinTJ

Guess I'll post this here too since your two posts are the same question in two forums:

Maybe I'm getting older and lazy, but I went sport auto. I'm tired of shifting, and after one test drive in this car I was sold.

This new auto lets me feel the road, interact, have control, use spider sense, save puppies, find leprechauns, and all of the crap excuses I used to say to justify driving a stick when stuck in traffic.

This 8 speed auto is faster and easier than the 6 manual. Winner.

+1 !!

[ATX78703]

Any body notice that the "official" BMW 0-60 times are equivalent for the 335i (5.4s) and 5.7s for the 6mt / 5.9s for the 8AT on the 328i?

I'm wondering where the 0.2s diff is coming from on the 328i, given that the gearing is the same as the 335i and the torque curve for the n20 is virtually identical to the n55 (not numbers, just shape). You should be able to brake-torque at the same RPM as you would dump the clutch... Unless the 2-3 gear change is slowing the AUTO down a little bit, but that should affect the 335i also.

What's more interesting is that the M135 actually has a faster 0-60 time on the Auto than the manual.

I know this is splitting hairs, but I'm curious as to which tranny actually performs better given that all these engines have so much torque at 1500 rpm. I remember for the old n52 engines, the 6mt was definitely better b/c you had to launch it into the upper register (4-5k rpm clutch dumps). Any thoughts?

[Mrcarcrazy]

I'm a manual transmission guy personally...but this is my DD, my wife will be driving it some (she can drive a stick, but we're both getting lazier the older we get). and the Auto is Phenomenal. So we ordered the Auto w/ the paddles. (who doesn't love paddles, it's like xbox, but in real life)

[ScheerSpeed]

I have always driven a 6MT, i test drove the 8spd auto and had to have it, so i ordered my F30 with the 8sp auto

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by ATX78703

Any body notice that the "official" BMW 0-60 times are equivalent for the 335i (5.4s) and 5.7s for the 6mt / 5.9s for the 8AT on the 328i?

I'm wondering where the 0.2s diff is coming from on the 328i, given that the gearing is the same as the 335i and the torque curve for the n20 is virtually identical to the n55 (not numbers, just shape). You should be able to brake-torque at the same RPM as you would dump the clutch... Unless the 2-3 gear change is slowing the AUTO down a little bit, but that should affect the 335i also.

What's more interesting is that the M135 actually has a faster 0-60 time on the Auto than the manual.

I know this is splitting hairs, but I'm curious as to which tranny actually performs better given that all these engines have so much torque at 1500 rpm. I remember for the old n52 engines, the 6mt was definitely better b/c you had to launch it into the upper register (4-5k rpm clutch dumps). Any thoughts?

The AT in both 328i and 335i are the same and have the same gearing.
The 335i AT is faster than the 328i, for obvious reasons as the 335i has more power.

The MT's are different, not the same gearing.
335i MT has the same gear ratio's as before, but has a shorter
(larger number) final drive. My guess is to keep up with the sport AT.
But, with that shorter final drive, MPG will suffer.

328i MT is NOT the same as the 335i MT.
Completely different gearing and different final drive.
328i MT also has 2 "over drive" gears (5th and 6th), where the 335i MT has only 1 (6th).
The 328i MT is rated .2 seconds faster over the AT, and with the 2 over drive gears overall MPG should be decent. But, there will be a huge rpm drop once the driver shifts to 5th and/or 6th from 4th.

Recap:
335i AT
328 AT
> both AT's have the same gearing.

335i MT - 6spd, 6th gear is over drive. 3.23:1 final drive.

328i MT- 6spd, 5th and 6th are over drive. 3.91:1 final drive.

[ATX78703]

Originally Posted by RPM90

The AT in both 328i and 335i are the same and have the same gearing.
The 335i AT is faster than the 328i, for obvious reasons as the 335i has more power.

The MT's are different, not the same gearing.
335i MT has the same gear ratio's as before, but has a shorter
(larger number) final drive. My guess is to keep up with the sport AT.
But, with that shorter final drive, MPG will suffer.

328i MT is NOT the same as the 335i MT.
Completely different gearing and different final drive.
328i MT also has 2 "over drive" gears (5th and 6th), where the 335i MT has only 1 (6th).
The 328i MT is rated .2 seconds faster over the AT, and with the 2 over drive gears overall MPG should be decent. But, there will be a huge rpm drop once the driver shifts to 5th and/or 6th from 4th.

Recap:
335i AT
328 AT
> both AT's have the same gearing.

335i MT - 6spd, 6th gear is over drive. 3.23:1 final drive.

328i MT- 6spd, 5th and 6th are over drive. 3.91:1 final drive.

In a roundabout way, I think you answered my question. The 6mt has a taller ratio in the 328i compared to the 335i. What this is probably doing is pulling past 60 mph in 2nd gear, while the 8AT has to shift prior, hence the discrepancy in 0-60 times.

Given that, i'd prob opt for the 8at even on the 328i. I bet the real world usable markers (like 5-60, 50-70, highway speed downshifts) are all in favor of the 8AT b/c the shift time is so fast.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by JustinTJ

Guess I'll post this here too since your two posts are the same question in two forums:

Maybe I'm getting older and lazy, but I went sport auto. I'm tired of shifting, and after one test drive in this car I was sold.

This new auto lets me feel the road, interact, have control, use spider sense, save puppies, find leprechauns, and all of the crap excuses I used to say to justify driving a stick when stuck in traffic.

This 8 speed auto is faster and easier than the 6 manual. Winner.

i do notice the "guess i'll post here too...." but is this a copy paste? lol
i thought i was trippin out for a sec

[S1000RR Drag Racer]

Whatever happened to the good old days when you couldn't get a 3 Series in an automatic?

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by S1000RR Drag Racer

Whatever happened to the good old days when you couldn't get a 3 Series in an automatic?

They were in your imagination? I've seen E21's with autos. I have no idea why the existed, but I've seen them.

[mweisdorfer]

I would get the cold weather package instead of just heated seats and get the automatic trans with paddle shifters. Both will increase your resale value